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After Nabbing Carjack Suspect, Santa Ana Police Believe There Are More Victims

SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) After arresting a carjack suspect Friday, police in Santa Ana said they believed there are likely more robbery victims who have not come forward.

On Friday, just after 7 a.m., officers responded to a reported carjacking in the 1600 block of North Susan.

The victim was reportedly asleep in his 1997 black Honda CRV when he was awoken by a man wearing a black hoodie and black mask.

Police said the suspect was on a blue beach cruiser bicycle and brandishing a black handgun.

Mask
(credit: Santa Ana Police Dept.)

The suspect ordered the victim out of the CRV and also demanded his cellphone and car keys.

Authorities said the victim complied and the suspect fled the area but not before placing his bicycle on the vehicle's hood.

About an hour-and-a-half later, SAPD officers located the victim's unoccupied CRV in the 4300 block of W. 1st Street. Officers conducted a surveillance of the vehicle.

The suspect -- now identified as 20-year-old Matthew Jacob Granados of Santa Ana -- returned to the vehicle and drove away. Police conducted a vehicle stop and suspect Granados was taken into custody without incident.

Granados was later positively identified by the victim. Police said the victim's phone was also recovered.

Officials said he suspect's handgun was not located. Granados was booked into the Santa Ana Detention Facility.

Robbery Detectives believe Granados may be responsible for additional robberies along the Santa Ana River Bed and the west end of Santa Ana.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact SAPD Robbery Detective Andy Garcia at (714) 245-8408 or Orange County Crime Stoppers 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

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